Child Custody

No Matter How Challenging

While there is no such thing as a simple child custody case, through my career, I have experienced even the most complex cases. I have handled cases involving child abuse, drug and alcohol abuse, psychological parents, relocation and other unique factors. No matter how challenging you believe your case to be, I can help. My role as an attorney and counselor at law is to listen to you, help you determine what you believe to be in your child’s best interest and negotiate a resolution which meets with your child’s needs. If negotiation does not result in resolution, I will take your case to trial and aggressively represent your interests.

Child custody is known in Colorado as Allocation of Parental Responsibilities. Under the umbrella of Parental Responsibilities, there are two main components, Decision-Making and Parenting Time. Decision-Making Allocation determines the rights of each parent to make major issues involving the children’s education, medical, religion, extracurricular activities and any other major concerns.

Decision Making

Decision-making responsibilities will be allocated either jointly to both parents or solely to one of the parents. The parents or courts can even mix the allocations wherein there is joint decision-making for educational decisions and sole decision for a parent on medical decisions. Routine day-to-day decision making (non-major) will rest with the parent who has the parenting time when the decision needs to be made. There are a number of factors which the courts consider in determining whether joint or sole decision making is appropriate. These factors are set forth in C.R.S. 14-10-124(1.5)(b).

Parenting time schedules take all shapes in Colorado and are unique to each family. In recent years, parenting plans have become more creative, in many cases allowing both parents significant time with the children. Parenting time schedules are created based upon the best interest of the children. Past practices, bonds between child and parent, whether there are addictions or other concerns about a parent or child will come into play when determining what parenting plan meets a child’s needs. Statutory factors are set forth in C.R.S. 14-10-124(1.5)(a).

In the Child’s Best Interest

When attorneys and parties have the child’s best interest in mind, I find mutual agreement about decision-making and parenting time is usually possible. If parents cannot agree, the court makes custody decisions.

Parents can obtain Child and Family Investigators or Parental Responsibility Evaluations in more complex cases to assist in the determination of the child’s best interest.

I have worked in family law matters for over twenty years. I listen to every detail my client provides me so I have a full understanding of their concerns. I take my client’s concerns seriously and will work diligently to provide you and your children with an outcome which meets the children’s best interests.